Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Bakes.
Hi Kelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was a cross country runner in high school and always interested in exercise. The coach had a dietitian talk to our team at one point, which was very interesting to me. I had been eating a lot of junk to try to get enough calories in to support the mileage, but soon learned that by eating healthier I was running faster. I then took a Sports Nutrition class at Conestoga High School which made me even more interested in nutrition. From there, I went to college and found that I was fascinated by my Nutrition 101 class, even though all my friends found it extremely challenging. I was reading ahead in the books.
I knew I had found my niche when I was thoroughly enjoying all my nutrition classes at Penn State, earned a 4.0 and went on to Graduate School at the University of Delaware for a combined dietetic internship and masters program. I was also a teaching assistant and still maintained a 4.0 because I loved learning.
After grad school, I wrote a letter to a local gym advocating for the importance of having an RD on staff. I got a job there and had to build my client base from zero. I learned to bill to insurance and worked my way up to a full client load within a year or two. After 5 years there I went off on my own and opened my own private practice Wayne Nutrition LLC in 2015. I have loved working with so many clients with diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and goals. It is such a rewarding and fulfilling career!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been entirely smooth. When I branched off onto my own, a huge percentage of my clients were employees from a local company. I used to give presentations there and work health fairs. At the beginning of every session I tell clients where they stand with BMI and I take their body fat %. Apparently, I told an employee from this company that she fell in the “obese” category according to BMI (but I give my caveats that it doesn’t factor in bone density or muscle mass- which is why I take the body fat % as well). Anyway, she was highly offended and happened to have a friend in HR who cancelled me. I’m still confused by this since any doctor would tell them their BMI and all the health fairs they went to reported this as well. I lost dozens of clients right off the bat in my new business because HR banned them from meeting with me. However, it wasn’t long until I built right back up thanks to lots of client referrals and doctor referrals.
I have had many challenges with insurance company changing their policies without much notification. I wasn’t paid by one insurer for almost 6 months- more than 40 claims worth- which is a lot for me to lose. Recently, Aetna got rid of their nutrition benefit for people that have a normal BMI and don’t have a diagnosed comorbidity. Now, in order to receive “preventative” care, you have to already be obese or have something like high cholesterol or diabetes. It is such a shame since insurance companies could save so much money by preventing their members from becoming obese and preventing diabetes. The payout for nutrition counseling sessions is a drop in the bucket compared to the costs of GLP-1s, diabetes medications, CPAPs, etc.
But, I love what I do and love seeing people making positive changes, so I keep persevering.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wayne Nutrition LLC?
I work with my clients at whatever pace is appropriate for them to make positive changes for their health. Some people jump right into making major changes, while other people just need to start small- maybe work on incorporate some walking or some vegetables each day. Whatever your speed, I will work with you so that you will be successful and see positive results.
I aspire to teach people how to eat for their specific body, so that they never have to go on a “diet” to manage their weight or health condition. I emphasize the importance of whole foods, and recommend my clients follow a mostly plant-based diet for optimal health. Of course, I try to be realistic and do let my clients know they can indulge occasionally, whether it is with alcohol, their favorite homemade meal, or chocolate. I am also a stickler for exercise. I make sure my clients keep physically active and we find ways they can be no matter what their physical state.
Eventually, by working with me, I hope that a client learn to eat “healthy” 90% of the time, but allow themselves to choose maybe not-so-healthy foods 10% of the time. Food should be enjoyable, but not something that you spend the whole day thinking about- you have more important things to think about! If you are eating properly for your body, you will learn to listen to your body for hunger cues and never feel the urge to binge or overeat due to deprivation. I also emphasize the importance of overall well-being and particularly hope that they participate in stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, or even seeing a therapist. My clients generally experience an increase in energy levels, better sleep, a healthier body image, weight management, and feel significantly better once they learn what foods they need to include and how much each day.
What sets me apart: I take the time with each client to go through their diet and provide a thorough diet analysis. I also am my clients biggest cheerleader- their success is my success! I also have worked with so many clients over the years that I am familiar with most conditions and situations and have tested my recommendations on thousands of people. I also take the time to answer texts and emails and want everyone to experience what it feels like to be healthy.
My specialty: My primary clientele are the peri- and post- menopausal women who are gaining weight unexpectedly. I typically can help stop this weight gain and often reverse some or most of it. However, I do see clients with a slew of other goals, conditions, and medical issues, as well as clients from 10 years old to 90 years old.
How do you think about happiness?
Morning exercise! It’s my only time alone and allows me to get out any stress and raise my endorphins and energy levels for the day!
Pricing:
- 4 session Nutrition Premium Package- $460
- Starter Package (2 sessions) – $260
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.waynenutrition.com/home
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waynenutrition
- Twitter: @KellyStrogen
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqkXs2L3RVE&feature=youtu.be
